HRC ENDORSES COMMON-SENSE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION MEASURES: This morning, HRC announced its endorsement of common-sense gun violence prevention policy measures. The news comes following the aftermath of last Sunday's’ hate-fueled attack in Orlando targeting the LGBTQ community at Pulse nightclub’s Latin night. For decades, LGBTQ people have been a target for bias-motivated violence, and easy access to deadly weapons has compounded this threat. The new resolution establishes HRC’s organizational position that the safety of LGBTQ people in the United States requires the adoption of common-sense gun violence prevention measures, including limiting access to assault-style rifles, expanding background checks, and limiting the ability of suspected terrorists, and those with a history of domestic abuse, to access guns. More from HRC.

HRC President Chad Griffin on the resolution: “Forty-nine members of our community were murdered on Sunday morning because of a toxic combination of two things: a deranged, unstable individual who had been conditioned to hate LGBTQ people, and easy access to military-style guns. It is imperative that we address both issues in order to mitigate safety risk to our community. As a society, we must hold accountable lawmakers, religious leaders and other public officials who put a target on the backs of LGBTQ people through hateful rhetoric and legislation, because they are complicit in the violence fueled by their words and actions. The safety of the LGBTQ community depends on our ability to end both the hatred toward our community and the epidemic of gun violence that has spiraled out of control.”

TRIBUTE TO ORLANDO AT HRC HQ: This morning, HRC unveiled a tribute to those lost in the horrific Orlando shooting. Before dawn, HRC began installing images of all 49 victims of Sunday's attack in its front windows, creating an 8-story composite image that carries the message “We Are Orlando.”Additionally, HRC has put together a memorial with a wreath, flowers and a place for passers by to leave their thoughts in front of our building. The average age of the victims’ was 29. Almost every one of them was either Black or Latinx. They were someone's brother, father, sister, daughter, family and friend. They served in the military, worked at the local coffee shop, and brought joy to children's lives at theme parks. They were the people HRC fights for every single day. As we continue to mourn around the globe, our hearts, thoughts and prayers remain in Orlando. HRC has also created an Online Vigil for the victims and survivors of the tragic Orlando attack. Here, members of the LGBTQ community and allies can send a message of comfort, solidarity, or heartbreak so we can heal – together.

#WEAREORLANDO: For more on vigils and events in your area and other ways to support victims, survivors and their families can go to WeAreOrlando.org and SomosOrlando.org. The press continues to highlight incredible stories in the wake of Sunday’s tragic violence. Here are some highlights:

The grandmother of victim Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo has been overwhelmed with the support she’s received in the wake of the tragedy. On her flight to Orlando for Luis’ funeral every passenger as well as the crew offered their condolences. More from Gay Times.

Artist ChadMichael Morrisette has created a moving display on a roof in West Hollywood to highlight the epidemic of gun violence. More from the Gay Star News.

Following the massacre, billionaire Mark Cuban announced a one million dollar donation to help the Dallas police department protect the LGBTQ community. The Dallas area has recently seen an increase in anti-LGBTQ violence. More from CNN.

Christina Aguilera will donate all of the proceeds from her new single to the families of the victims of the Orlando shooting. More from Huffington Post.

DISASTROUS DONALD BENEFITS FROM ANTI-LGBTQ COUNTRIES: Donny has made the rounds this week pretending to be a “friend” to the LGBTQ community as a mask to present his anti-immigrant, Islamophobic ideas. However, when it comes to countries where being LGBTQ is illegal, and sometimes punishable by death, Donald has no problem taking their money for his own gain. Trump does work in or with Libya, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia -- all of which punish their LGBTQ citizens for simply being who they are and loving who they choose to love. More from CNN.

READING RAINBOW

Teen Vogue highlights 10 companies that support the LGBTQ community; Yahoo! Finance calculates the “surprising costs” of transitioning for transgender Canadians; Pink News reports that the bill to make “O Canada” gender neutral has passed Canada’s House of Commons; Buzzfeed gives us the latest on an anti-LGBTQ law that was upheld in Kenya; The Portland Press Herald highlights Portland Maine’s new trans-inclusive healthcare policy;and Bloomberg calls out Mississippi’s anti-LGBTQ law.

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